UK Athletics has confirmed 25 athletes in the first wave of selections for the Norwich Union Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the European Indoor athletics Championships.
Highlights from the team selections include youngsters Craig Pickering and Ryan Scott receiving the early nod following their impressive performances at the UK Championships in Sheffield last weekend.
Scott, who competed at the World Junior Championships in Beijing last August as part of the bronze medal winning sprint relay squad has come full circle having travelled to the 2005 European Indoor Championships in Madrid, as the lucky winner of the SPAR Sprints Initiative Dedication Award. The 19 year old is now set to make his senior debut for the Norwich Union GB & NI team in Birmingham.
Meanwhile, Jason Gardener is selected for the third 60m spot, whilst Simeon Williamson is named as reserve.
Following a fantastic weekend where she clocked 50.60 for 400m, Nicola Sanders has accepted selection for the individual 400m event following discussions with her coach Tony Lester.
The strength of the women’s 800m is further demonstrated, with selectors filling all three slots with the first three finishers from last weekend’s trial. Karen Harewood joining Marilyn Okoro and Jenny Meadows in the team.
Selectors will meet again to review results following the Norwich Union Grand Prix at the National Indoor Arena and the Indoor City Challenge Final both taking place this weekend (17-18 February).
A final selection meeting will take place on Saturday 24th February with results up to that date also eligible for consideration, however it is anticipated that the majority of selection decisions will be settled following this weekend’s competition opportunities.
Norwich Union GB team (First wave):
Men
60m
Jason Gardener (Wessex & Bath AC)
Craig Pickering (Marshall Milton Keynes)
Ryan Scott (Yate)
Reserve: Simeon Williamson (Highgate Harriers)
1500m
James Thie (Cardiff AAC)
3000m
Mo Farah (Newham & Essex)
Scott Overall (Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow)
60m Hurdles
Andrew Turner (Sale Harriers)
High Jump
Martyn Bernard (Unattached)
Pole Vault
Steve Lewis (Newham & Essex)
Triple Jump
Nathan Douglas (Oxford City)
Phillips Idowu (Belgrave Harriers)
Women
60m
Jeanette Kwakye (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies)
400m
Nicola Sanders (Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow)
800m
Karen Harewood (Corby AC)
Jenny Meadows (Wigan & District)
Marilyn Okoro (Shaftesbury Barnet)
1500m
Helen Clitheroe (Preston)
Katrina Wootton (Bedford)
3000m
Lisa Dobriskey (Ashford AC)
Jo Pavey (Exeter Harriers)
60m Hurdles
Sara McGreavy (Sale Harriers)
Pole Vault
Kate Dennison (Sale Harriers)
Pentathlon
Jessica Ennis (City of Sheffield)*
Kelly Sotherton (Birchfield Harrier)*
* Pre selected by EAA invitation.
